Discrimination Against HomosexualsAlanna T. Haldaman

Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders are all humans. Many LGBT members. have been declined jobs or a place to live, because of their sexuality. They have been denied marriage licenses because they are attracted to the same gender. Even though they all work in our community, have families, and live similar lives as us they are still discriminated. Homosexuals work just as hard as most of the society. Therefore, they shouldn’t be discriminated, because of their sexuality.

Seventeen percent of bisexuals, transgenders, lesbians, and gays who apply for a job are passed over. This isn’t because they didn’t meet the requirements, this is purely because they are not straight. Also, eight percent of LGBT members who hold a job in the United States are fired each year. This as well is purely because of their sexual preference. If they don’t have jobs they can’t feed their families or get a place to live. No one who is trying to hold a job should feel this way because of their sexuality.

Because many companies like American Outfitters and Exxon will not hire people who are lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or gay 320,000 to 40,000 LGBTs are estimated to be homeless each year in the United States. These companies shouldn’t be this critical with their employee choices, because homosexuals are trying to help them, by making an effort to work for these companies. Someone’s sexual preference doesn’t affect their working skills. What makes a straight male better at selling gas at Exxon than a transgender male?

As if that wasn’t bad enough some homosexuals still struggle to get married. Even though same sex marriage was legalized in all 50 states on June 26, 2015, Kim Davis, county clerk of Rowan Kentucky, refused to issue marriage licenses. She claims she did this, because of her religious liberties. Her actions are equivalent to a janitor saying he doesn’t want to do his job because he thinks it is disgusting. She chose her career and a part of her career is issuing marriage licenses. Although life is already hard enough for homosexuals who are constantly discluded in society, she went out of her way to prevent them from marriage.

Like Kim Davis, many homophobes claim they discriminate LGBTs because their religion doesn’t allow them to be sexually attracted to someone of the same gender. However, homosexuals don’t have to follow the same religious rules that homophobes believe. It is disrespectful to let personal beliefs affect the way you view someone. Many lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders follow religions that allow for them to be attracted to the same sex. Some LGBTs aren’t even religious. Homosexuals aren’t violating any of their personal rules, therefore the homophobes’ religious beliefs shouldn’t impact the way they treat LGBTs.

In conclusion, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders need to have a job and a place to live. They deserve the same marriage rights as people who are straight. As long as they aren’t hurting you mentally or physical, you shouldn’t discriminate against them. There is no reason to believe that LGBTs need to follow your personal religious rules. They have their own rules that they will follow. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders are more alike us than unlike. We need to include them in our communities and in our world. We all need to stop discriminating against homosexuals.